Eat Bugs? Don't Knock it 'Til You've Tried It!

posted by Jim Forsyth
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3 years ago

As to the United Nations recommendation that we put down the burgers and start chowing down on bugs, many Texans say...don’t knock it until you’re tried it.

1200 WOAI’s Michael Board says there is a subculture of survivalists and environmentalists in this state who have been eating bugs for some time. They agree with the UN, saying insects are a ‘high protein food’ and that turning to eating them would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and feed millions of hungry people.

“I would have to say that mealy worms are the easiest ones to eat,” said Marjory Wildcraft of Austin, who says she has eaten insects for years. “They are kind of like a combination of peas and chicken. They have a pretty pleasant taste.”

For the past five years, she has been running a festival at the state capitol, showing how bugs can been cooked and eaten.

Survivalists say we are frequently grossed out by the sight of insects and transfer that feeling to eating them, but they point out that few pork diners ever have the chance to see pigs wallowing in feces, and beef eaters don’t watch cattle which are infested with flies.

“It’s like riding a roller coaster,” Wildcraft said. “You go no, no, no! And then when its over and you’ve done it, you say, hey, that wasn’t so bad. Give me another one!”

Wildcraft says bugs are plentiful, they natural reproduce, while they are alive they benefit the ecosystem, and after they are done, well, you might as well eat them.

She says of all of the bugs, the scorpion, which is actually an arachnid, is the tastiest.

“They just have a really unique taste and flavor,” she said. “They are just a little more meatier than some of the other ones.”

Insects are actually considered healthier than many meats. They don’t carry e-coli and other potentially deadly diseases, and bugs can be far more easily and safely preserved than meat.

Wildcraft doesn’t expect Texans to give up the brisket and start tossing crickets onto the barbecue any time soon, but she says everyone should at least try eating bugs, just to have the experience.